LIVE.LAUGH.LOVE.

Just Be Yourself

My Aunt Carmeleta was the wife of my mother's youngest brother Fred. Even though my Uncle Fred died many years ago and Aunt Carmeleta is now married to Ken I still consider her my aunt.

Everyone should have a wonderful aunt like Aunt Carmeleta. I lived with her and my Uncle Fred for a year when I was a teenager. Like a lot of teenagers, I had issues with people who talked negatively about me. If you've ever had this happen you'll understand how hurtful it is.

I'd talk to Aunt Carmeleta about these hurtful things and she would always say, "Just be yourself." This was great advice! In fact, it has been some of the best advice I have ever received. I learned not everyone is going to like you and that's okay. Just be yourself.

When my husband Bill met Aunt Carmeleta for the first time he didn't think she was for real. He questioned, "How could anyone be so nice and not be a fake?" But he's found out through the years some people can be this nice and be for real.

I have never forgotten the advice to "Just be yourself." We need more people in this world who give great advice and are kind and loving like my Aunt Carmeleta.

About the author: Kay is the mother of three children and grandmother of two. Her oldest son Todd was killed instantly in a car accident when he was 16. It was shortly after Todd's death that she entered into a personal relationship with God. From that day on her life has taken a radical change for the better.